It’s finally time to bring out the barbecue forgotten in the depths of the garage or garden and give it a special place in your weekly meals! Grilled fish, meat and vegetables quickly came back into fashion and delighted our taste buds which had long forgotten the pleasures linked to summer barbecues. If you don’t say no to easily enhanced flavors, there is a good chance that you will quickly adopt the technique that we are going to discuss here and which is not only aimed at professionals of this very particular cooking which smells good the sun and the friendly moments shared with family and friends!
Whether you decide to cook meat (chicken legs or wings, pork ribs, beef steak, sausages, merguez, lamb skewers, etc.), fish and seafood (salmon, tuna, sardines, sea bream, shrimp, etc.) or vegetables (peppers, zucchini, eggplant, corn, portobello mushrooms, etc.), the taste will be even better !
How to add flavor to your grilled food?
What you need:
- Dried aromatic herbs
The steps:
1) First of all, prepare the barbecue and the meat, fish or other vegetables as usual.
2) The only difference is that when the embers are hot, you will need to add your herbs on top !
3) Then place the food on the grill and let it cook normally. You will see when tasting that their taste is much more pronounced thanks to the subtle aromas of the herbs. This is something to enjoy barbecue cooking even more! Enjoy your food.
Other tips for giving more flavor to grilled food cooked on the barbecue
To make barbecue grilling tastier, there are effective cooking tips to adopt according to your preferences and desires. For example, to stay in the same spirit as our tip, you can buy smoking wood. Add pieces of smoking wood such as hickory, mesquite, apple or cherry to the barbecue. This will allowinfuse meat with smoke flavors. Fine gourmets and gourmands love it! And in any case, prefer natural charcoal rather than briquettes for a purer and more natural flavor.
Sauces and marinades for your grills
Moreover, bet everything on the seasoning meats, fish and vegetables. For example, use marinades made with lemon juice, garlic, fresh herbs, olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and spices to tenderize and flavor the meat. Leave to marinate for at least 1 to 2 hours, or ideally overnight. to fully unfold the flavors. You can also apply dry spice blends of your choice such as paprika, cumin, coriander, brown sugar, salt and pepper to create a flavorful crust.
As for the barbecue sauce to drizzle, apply it towards the end of cooking to prevent it from burning. Sweet sauces, like those containing honey or molasses, caramelize and add a rich flavor. Finally, let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, making the meat juicier.
Butter and fruit, the lesser known tips, but always delicious
To change sauces, you can also opt for compound butter ! To do this, prepare butter flavored with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon zest and/or spices, then melt a dollop over the meat just before serving for a tasty finishing touch. And to bring new flavors, try grilling fruit such as pineapple, peach, plantain or watermelon. In fact, the natural sugars caramelize and add a delicious sweetness to grilled foods. You can add pieces to your skewers or eat them for dessert and even as a side dish.
Final tips for successful grills and skewers
To start, preheat the grill to a high temperature to sear the meat, then reduce the heat to finish cooking. Use a thermometer if possible to ensure the meat reaches the ideal internal temperature to avoid overcooking or undercooking. And above all, clean the grill before each use to avoid residues that can alter the taste. We explain how to clean the grill here. Finally, for a bit of a change, use foil packets to cook vegetables or fish with herbs and spices. It changes a little!
In addition, consult our tips for becoming a barbecue cooking pro as well as our tips for a successful barbecue. So your outdoor meal will definitely be a success!